HINTS ON BUYING. 175 



The mounted tests should be on hard ground, and com- 

 menced at the trot. By commencing at this pace any hidden 

 lameness is almost certain to show itself. Make the rider 

 turn round sharply, then have him galloped to test his wind. 

 The dealer who would venture to show a broken-winded 

 horse must be an idiot; but there are not a few who in 

 order to get to the windward of the buyer will, in the case 

 of thick-winded animals, roarers, grunters, whistlers or pipers, 

 try on what is known as the "long trot" trick. This dodge 

 is executed by galloping the horse at some distance from 

 and out of ear-shot of the purchaser, easing up in the return 

 journey, so that the stress on the pipes being relieved, the 

 normal breathing is resumed. High blowing is a habit of 

 flapping the nostrils in and out of the nasal openings, and is 

 not of much moment, but all other noises are disorders 

 of respiration or inspiration. Most roarers grunt and cough. 

 It is best to ride the horse yourself in order to discover 

 these imperfections in breathing. A horse, that has not 

 a good wind is of little use for fast and severe work, though 

 we sometimes find magnificent roarers, such as Prince Charlie 

 and the expatriated Ormonde. Chronic cough asserts itself 

 in the stable as well as out of it, and is generally hoarse and 

 hollow. If in London, Hyde, Regents, or Battersea Parks 

 will aftbrd ample room for a fair trial; in the country there 

 need be no difticulty on the score of elbow room. Ride 

 him from the stable yard to the park at as smart a trot as 

 the pavements and traffic will allow, to ascertain if he is 

 alarmed at vehicles. In the ride make him keep company 

 with other horses, and abruptly turn him away from them 

 in an opposite direction ; this parting company will try his 

 temper and exhibit his docility. If a cross-grained, stubborn, 

 wilful nature he will try to get his own way, and back, kick, 

 rear, and plunge ; in which case, the sooner he goes back 



